Cooper delivers supplies to Surry County school

News-Topic, Lenoir, N.C.
·2 min read

Sep. 21—Gov. Roy Cooper toured Cedar Ridge Elementary School in Lowgap Tuesday and delivered supplies collected from the Governor's School Supply Drive.

During the visit, Cooper recognized the 2023 North Carolina Principal of the Year Donna Bledsoe and also visited several classrooms to speak with students, teachers and staff.

Cooper thanked educators for their dedication and for working to help students learn and grow.

"Public schools are critical for the progress of our state, and Cedar Ridge Elementary School is helping children grow, learn and succeed," Cooper said.

"Instead of billions of dollars of funding for private school vouchers where rich people can get taxpayer money to keep their children in private academies, we should invest in our public schools."

Bledsoe thanked the governor and efforts to provide students with supplies.

"His dedication to education, along with his commitment to ensuring that all students have access to the resources they need to succeed, is admirable," Bledsoe said. "Additionally, I am grateful for his time spent engaging with our classrooms and recognizing me as the 2023 Wells Fargo North Carolina Principal of the Year.

"His visit has truly been an inspiring and memorable experience for our school community."

Surry County Schools Superintendent Travis Reeves said Cooper's visit was meaningful and the donation showed his support for students and education.

"This act of kindness exemplifies the collaborative spirit that defines our educational community," Reeves said. "Together, we are nurturing the minds of our future leaders and ensuring that every child has the tools they need to thrive."

The Governor's School Supply Drive ran from July 24 to Aug. 18.

As in past years, the State Employees' Credit Union and Communities In Schools of North Carolina partnered with the state to collect and deliver school supplies to classrooms. On average, teachers spend more than $500 of their money each year on classroom supplies, according to the governor's office.

The supply drive involved setting up donation bins inside all SECU locations across the state. Residents were able to help by dropping off items at the SECU locations.

Cooper first held the Governor's Annual School Supply Drive in 2017 to provide school supplies to help support families, schools and communities across the state.